Youth Outreach Worker

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The Youth Outreach Worker Program supports at-risk and high-risk youth and their families to better navigate and connect with services and pro-social opportunities in their communities to improve youth outcomes.

The definition of Black is being used in its most inclusive sense to reflect the diverse ancestry, origins and ethnic identities of individuals of African and Caribbean descent. The term is based on self-identification and is used by Statistics Canada.

**This position is part of the Government of Ontario’s initiatives to support underserved, high risk Black youth under the Ontario Youth Action Plan. As such, eligibility is limited to individuals who self-identify as Black.**

**QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS**:
Education and Experience:

- Bachelor of Social Work, Masters of Social Work and/or relevant experience, or Bachelors of Psychology, Counselling Psychology and eligible for certification / membership in a registered professional association
- Proven expertise in providing intensive, short-term counseling and support to Black youth in crisis, addressing their unique challenges and facilitating access to essential services through targeted referrals and ongoing guidance
- Proficient in coordinating and maintaining case plans for multiple high-risk Black youth and their families
- Proficient in cultivating trust-based relationships with Black youth
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team;
- Demonstrated ability to work co-operatively and negotiate effectively with a range of community groups and service providers across sectors;
- Ability to work full time, in-person (Monday to Friday) including flexible hours as needed
- Hold a G2 or equivalent driver’s license and have access to a vehicle for work.

Cultural Experience:

- Awareness and cultural sensitivity toward the lived experiences, diverse identities, and unique needs of Black youth from underserved communities
- Strong familiarity with the local community, including cultural dynamics and available programs and services, to effectively refer Black youth to appropriate supports such as mental health and counseling resources.
- Extensive experience engaging with the Black community, with a focus on supporting Black youth and their families

**MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES**:
Working as a part of the Youth Outreach Worker team, the Provincial Youth Outreach Worker will:

- Deliver short-term counseling and support to Black youth using the Stages of Change intervention model, tailored to the framework of the Youth Outreach Worker Program
- Collaborate to identify Black youth who may require additional, more intensive services, and work with the Youth Outreach Worker to align support services for individual Black youth.
- Develop and oversee a short-term case management plan for Black youth clients, in partnership with the Youth Outreach Worker, and support Black youth by:

- Support Black youth in recognizing their needs, strengths, aspirations, and goals, while helping them identify and navigate barriers to accessing essential services
- Support Black youth in strengthening resilience, developing pro-social behaviors, and cultivating protective factors to effectively address and mitigate identified risk factors
- Helping Black youth who experience additional risk factors and challenges, such as poor mental health due to anti-Black racism.
- Helping Black youth to address the specific incidents / risk factors that may bring them into conflict with peers, family, and / or the law;
- Empowering Black youth to strengthen resilience, cultivate positive social behaviors, and implement protective strategies that support them in managing and reducing personal risk factors
- Providing Black youth with general information, contacts, referrals and support as needed to build assets and address needs (e.g., housing, employment, education, health care and recreation; social and emotional issues); and
- Connect Black youth with appropriate local resources and actively support them in navigating and accessing these essential services
- Support parents and family members to help youth address their needs by providing short-term counselling, if needed, and referring parents and family members to other supports and services available in the community.
- Maintain collaborative working relationships with other professionals within and outside of the organization.
- Maintain precise and up-to-date service records in the Outreach system, adhering to timely reporting standards and data integrity protocols
- Assist if needed with other duties assigned by Program Director or Manager of HSDC
- Actively promote the Youth Outreach Worker Program and establish a strong, recognizable presence in the community to foster connection and visibility
- Identify emerging issues, service gaps and opportunities for action to build community capacity; and
- Identify staff development / training needs and participate in staff development / training programs, as